Papal Encyclicals on Technology: A Historical Comparison

The recent encyclical from Pope Leo XIV, presented at The Vatican, highlights significant societal challenges rooted in artificial intelligence. This comes as the second instance where a Pope named Leo has drawn attention to the ethical and spiritual dilemmas generated by technological progress. The previous occasion was by Pope Leo XIII during the Industrial Revolution.

In 1891, Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical, Rerum Novarum, addressed the social disorders and disparities resulting from rapid industrialization. He discussed the respect for worker rights and emphasized the need for compassion and fairness in an era of profound change.

Similarly, Pope Leo XIV’s recent message highlights the ethical concerns and societal changes ushered in by artificial intelligence. The encyclical calls for responsible development and usage of AI technologies, appreciating both the opportunities and the potential pitfalls such innovations bring.

A statue of Pope Leo XIII stands next to a cardboard cutout of Pope Leo XIV within McMahon Hall at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., symbolizing a continuity of concern for humanity’s moral compass amid technological upheaval.